Development of the prototype of a Hyperloop capsule with an electrodynamic levitating linear induction motor as a combined drive and hovering concept

The mu-zero HYPERLOOP e.V. team and project

The Hyperloop concept describes transport capsules that float through partially evacuated tubes at almost the speed of sound. Due to the minimised air resistance, the system is very energy-efficient in addition to the high achievable speed and could be operated energy self-sufficiently and emission-free with the help of integrated solar modules. In order to establish hyperloops as a new type of transport medium, the mu-zero HYPERLOOP e.V. team has been working on a combined drive and hovering concept in the form of an electrodynamically levitating linear induction motor since May 2020. As part of a bottom-up project, the 61 students from Karlsruhe and Stuttgart developed a 1.60 metre long, functional prototype of a Hyperloop capsule in which the innovative linear induction motor is used. With the help of analytical modelling and 2D and 3D FEM simulations to design the linear motor, it was continuously developed further and validated by manufacturing and testing the prototype. In order to check the function of the motor without time-consuming installation in the Hyperloop capsule, a test stand was set up with a flywheel as a rotor with a corresponding mass to simulate the inertial behaviour of the Hyperloop prototype. This stationary test bench can be used to carry out initial tests on dynamic engine behaviour and thus measure acceleration, braking and levitation forces.

Review of the goals achieved by the student Hyperloop team

In addition to developing innovative hyperloop systems, the mu-zero HYPERLOOP e.V. team is also pursuing the goal of establishing a student cooperation between KIT and the University of Stuttgart. The technical and moral support provided by professors from both universities was not only decisive for the successful completion of the first Hyperloop prototype in July 2021, but also enabled the involvement of over ten students from Stuttgart in the Baden-Württemberg team. The early support from the ICM also ensured the timely completion of the first Hyperloop prototype and thus participation in the international "European Hyperloop Week" competition in Valencia. The students from Baden-Württemberg were the only German team to achieve fourth place in the overall ranking and were awarded an exclusive honour that highlights the technical achievements of the young Hyperloop team in their first year of development. Motivated by these successes, the students want to continue actively shaping the mobility of the future together with research institutions and companies. To this end, they are using the experience gained from the bottom-up project to design an optimised Hyperloop prototype in order to turn their vision of travelling at the speed of sound into reality.

Thanks to funding from the ICM, a stationary motor test bench could be developed and constructed, which enables continuous testing of the linear induction motor without an aluminium rail using the flywheel. This meant that no cost-intensive hyperloop test track was required to investigate the dynamic motor behaviour. In addition, the test bench made it possible to measure the linear induction motor at different operating points in the available space.

Project duration: 01.11.2020 - 30.11.2021